Process and mechanism for separating intermixed divided materials



March 26, 1935. y K. DAVIS 1,995,295

PROCESS AND MECHANISM FOR SEPARATING INTERMIXED DIVIDED MATERIALSOriginal Filed July 10, 1922 4 s t sheet 1 00x NN March 25, 1935. K DAVE1,995,295;

PROCESS AND MECHANISM FOR SEPARATING INTERMIXED DIVIDED MATERIALSOriginal Filed July 10, 1922 4 Shee'ts Sheet 2 0 o IN VEN TOR March 26,1935. K DAV|$ PROCESS AND MECHANISM FOR SEPARATING INTERMIXED DIVIDEDMATERIALS Original Filed July 10. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORATTORNEY March 26, 1935. K. DAVl$ 1,995,295

PROCESS AND MECHANISM FOR SEPARATING INTERMIXED DIVIDEDMATERIALSOriginal Filed July 10, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fi l? 354, ATTORNEYPatented Mar. 26, 1935 1,995,295, v V PROCESS AND MECHANISM FOR SEPA-RATING INTERJWIXED RIALS DIVIDED fMA'rE- Kenneth Davis, .Ebensburg, Fa;lassignor, by

mesne assignments, to Peale-Davis Company, l/Vilmington, DeL, acorporation of Delaware Application July 10, 1922, Serial No. 574,034

' Renewed August 23, 1934 24 Claims. (o1. 209 9467) The inventionrelates to a novel process and mechanism for separating intermixeddivided materials and in certain aspects thereof more especially to suchmechanisms particularly adapted to separating intermixed coal and rockand like materials.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in parthereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned bypractice with the invention, the same being realized and attained bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in theappended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements,combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a partthereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together withthe description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. l

Of the drawings:-

Fig. l is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on theline 11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on the line2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a full top plan of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan, greatly diminished, showing a somewhat diiferentform from'Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a diminished horizontal section taken substantially on theline 55 of Fig. -2;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a battery of the separating units withcommon vibrating means;

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section through a single separating unitand its mounting;

Fig. 8 is an elevation, with partsomitted, showing a diiferent form ofvibrating means from that of the precedin figures.

Fig. 9 is the same as Fig. 8 but shows a different longitudinalinclination of the frame; and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of an airpervious unit showing amodified arrangement of separating partitions.

The invention, especially in the present preferred embodiment,exemplarily illustrated in the accompanying drawings, is particularlycapacitated for rapidly, easily and efficaciously separating intermixeddivided materials, and is designed especially for such service withintermixed divided materials the fragments or particles of which vary insize through a relatively very wide range of sizes, and in dinerentphysical states or conditions.

So far as concerns the feature of successfully and efficiently handling'a wide range of sizes, and having especially in mind the separation ofintermixed coal and rock, or coal, bone and rock, the machineof thepresent invention effects 75 a substantially complete or perfectseparation through the wide range of sizes referred to, there"- byobviating the usual troublesome, expensive and time consumingpreliminary close sizing.- This sizing is necessary-with the separatorsnow in use, 10

so as to supply the'separating machine with the intermixed materials ofuniform size within a very small or close range, most separatorsrequiring preliminarysizing within a range of onesixteenth of an inch.Under practical conditions the machine of the present invention willoperate efficiently and will produce substantially perfect resultswithinsize ranges varying byoneinch, and usually by nearly two inches. Also,the machine may be variably positioned andother- 1 wise' regulated tomeet different physical'conditions of the material, as later described.

The term divided as used herein signifies materials in relatively smallparts or particles as differentiated from materials in relativelylargeparts or masses, and'such materials may be broken, granular,pulverulent or otherwise.

In its main features as exemplarily embodied, the invention comprises arelatively wide, long and shallow body or unit in which a correspond- 3ing bed of the intermixed divided materials are stratified and therebyseparated and delivered at'different places or points. The-separationand separate delivery are effected by the combined action of upwardlydirected air currents, .vibra- 3 tion or other movement of the'unit,together'with a regulable positioning, or variation in the inclination,both transverse and longitudinal, of the unit to secure thebest'resultswith the particular intermixed material'being operated upon.1

The invention comprises .means for regulating the longitudinalinclination of the unit, and also independentlyoperating means forregulating the transverse level .or inclination thereof withoutdisturbing the vibrating means. It also com- 5 prises meanscr devicesfor assisting in the separating of the intermixed materials, and forre-'- peating or continuing the separating action on any, parts or sizesof the intermixed materials which are not separated'by the firststratifying action, these various instrumentalities being regulable forthe most efficient cooperation in separating intermixed materials ofdifferent kinds or in diiierent physical conditiona I J 1 Other featuresof the invention will be set forth de cr b and upp t d primarily inconnection with the following detailed description of the invention, andit will be understood that the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description are both explanatory and exemplary of theinvention, but are not restrictive thereof.

Referring now in detail to the present preand end reaches 4 and 5, thewire mesh or other air-pervious bottom 1 being fixed to a rectangularframe 6 fitting within the general framejust therewithin by means o backet The end at which the intermixed materials are supplied to theunitmay be conveniently styled the rear end, and the supplying means may beofany proper or suitable form for uniformly supplying the intermixedmaterials at the rate at which they are separated by the mechanism.

As embodied, each unit is provided at its rear end with a hopper 12,having its two side walls and its rear wall preferably of aireperviousmaterial, such as the wire mesh. As shown, the hQpper has an inwardlyand downwardly inclinedrear wall 13, and inwardly and downwardlyinclinedside walls 14 and 15, the inclination ofthe various wallsvarying as shownin the illustrated embodiment. Preferably, the hopper.walls from a pointsomewhat-above the bottom incline downwardly andoutwardly to prevent choking andjamming of the materials as they feeddown.

The front wall 16 of the hopper is shown solid ,inFigs. 1,2 and 3, andprovides a mounting for :a"'feederegulating slide, later described. Thehopper is mounted upon the separating unit in a suitable manner as bybrackets 17 fixed to the hopper and to the frame of the unit.

In accordance with one, feature of the invention, the air pressure isutilized for cleaning the dust out. of the intermixed'divided materialspreparatory to the. separating action, the airpervious walls of thehopper being desirable for this purpose. "In connection therewith, meansare provided for permitting a desired or regu lated amount of the aircurrent to pass upwardly through the hopper, just sufficient to effectthis cleaning action. 7

' In the embodied form thereof, a slide 24 works in an aperture in theend 4 of the frame of the unit, the slide moving on the topsurface ofthe bottomjl of the units. This slide is supported on a. bracket orbrackets26, fixed to the exterior ofv the frame piece 4 and extendingoutwardly therefrom. Means for holding the slide 24 in the/desiredposition so as to admit the proper amount of air current into the hopperare provided. For this'pu'rpose, as shown in Fig. 1, the

Slide 2.4-is slotted, a bolt 27 passing through the slot and through thebracket26. Thus by movingthe slide in and out, the amount of air pass-.ingsupward through the hoppercan be accurately regulated. 1

, Referring now to the means for regulating the flow or supply fjintermixed materials to the bod o th ve ically movable slide 28 ismountedon the external face of the hopper wall 16, by means-of a boltand slot mounting 29. The slide 28 is moved up and down to regulate thesize of the throat or port 30, through which the intermixed materialspass from the hopper forwardly into the body of 'the'unit to besubjected to the stratifying and separating agencies and action. 1

Referring now'to the embodied form of means for transversely incliningor positioning the separating unit, devices are provided for varying theinclination transversely of the unit and in connection therewith is aflexible air-tight connection between the unit and the chamber whichsupplies the air under pressure beneath the floor or table 1, wherebythe upwardly-directed air currents are created. As embodied, the airchamber is mounted on a vibratable frame, which in turn is-mounted upona non-vibratable, but

regulably longitudinally inclinable frame or support, all of which'islater described in detail The upper part of the air chamber has preferably rectangular walls, comprising end walls 36 and 37 and side walls38 and 39. The lower part ofthe air chamber has inwardly and downwardlyinclined endwalls 40 and 41 and similar side walls 42 and 43, thesewalls terminating in a supply pipe (not shown) receiving the supply ofair under pressure from a blower fan, compressor or any other suitablesource. A suitable and convenient form of this mechanism is shown in mycopending application Ser. No. 566,639 filed June 7, 1922, now PatentNo. 1,786,739.

Having in mind the double mounting of the units constituting one featureof the invention,

a plurality of internal frame members are provided having, respectively,bottom cross reaches 46, and vertical side reaches 47 and 48, andupwardly and inwardly inclined top reaches 49 and 50 with acentralsupporting part 51. These frames are supported within the airchamber by suitable means, and as shown, bolts 52 pass through theframes and through the air chamber walls and into'the vibratable framelater to be described. Disposed centrally and longitudinally of thegeneral structure just described, is a supporting beam 55, extendingbetween the end walls 36 and 37 or" the air chamberrand resting upon andbeing fastened to the part 51 of the supporting frames by bolts 56. v

Further, in this embodied form, the reach 3 of the two unit frames ispivoted or hinged to the beam 55 by suitable means, such as hinges 58.Cooperating therewith on the opposite side. of the unit are a pluralityof screw-bolts 60, pivoted at 69 to the wall 38 of the air chamber;These bolts pass through a plate or board 61, which extends outwardlyfrom and along the unit frame piece2, and is provided at its ends withsupporting and attaching brackets 62. Nuts 63 and 64 are threaded on thescrew bolts on either side of the plate 61, and together with the hingevmounting on the other side, they support the unit and vary its level ortransverse inclination.

The flexible air-tight connection between the air. chamber and the unitframe consists preferably of a flexible sheet 65, of canvas or any othersuitable material having one edge fastened to the top of the air chamberand the other edge fastened to the bottom. of the unit frame, as is bestshown in Figs. 1, 2 and '7.

If desired, a baffle plate 65, of any desired shape and size, andpreferably with air passages 67 of suitable and variable size andlocation, as desired, may be employed within the air chamber. Such aplate is shown, supported. from and positioned by means of bolts 68passing through the bailie plate and through the bottom reach 46 of thesupporting frames.

The ,vibratable mounting for the unit unit vibrating means, as embodied,comprise a frame fixed to and supporting the air chamber, and therewiththe separating unit proper. The frame, as embodied, comprises two bars74 and 75, extending longitudinally of and fixed to the exterior of theair chamber side walls 38 and 39, the beams extending beyond the airchamber at each end. Cooperating with this frame, which is fastened tothe vibratable structure, as just described, is a non-vibratablesupporting frame.

In accordance with certain features of the invention, thisnon-vibratablesupporting frame is provided with means for varying itsinclination and therewith the longitudinal inclination of the unit. Asembodied, this non-vibratable but inolinable frame comprises sidereaches 76 and 77 and end reaches 78 and 79. Fixed to the non-vibratableframe near the corners thereof and projecting upwardly therefrom arepins 80, which pass through holes in the ends of the bars 74 and 75.Helical springs 81 are in compression between the bars 74 and 75 and thesupporting vibratable frame. If desired, the pins 80 may be shoulderedas shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to constitute a stop for the downward movementof the vibratable frame.

' The embodied form of means for supporting and for varying theinclination of the supporting frame comprises a pivot mounting therefor,located preferably at or near the center of the side reaches 76 and 77.As shown, the side reaches 76 and 77, respectively, are rockablysupported upon corresponding bolts 84, mounted in pillars or pedestals85, and having heads 86 and nuts 87 screw-threaded on the bolts. Aretaining block or cap 88 is fastened to the under side of the framepieces to retain the frame in position upon its pivot bearings.

The inclination regulating means comprises one or more legs or bars 92,pivotally supported at 93 upon the supporting frame, and having a boltand slot connection 94 with corresponding pillars or pedestals 95. Thusthe longitudinal inclination of the unit may be varied'and regulatednicely as desired, while the entire struc ture is firmly supported uponits pivot bearings. 'In Fig. 1 the unit is showninclined downwardly fromthe rear or feed end to the front or discharge end; inFig. 8 the unit islevel longitudinally; while in Fig. 9 it is shown with a forward andupward longitudinal inclination. The variations in the longitudinalinclination of the unit are effected merely by adjustment of the boltand slot connections, as already described. The embodied form ofvibrating means is. designed to vibrate the double unit, as shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 3. Said embodied form comprises a frame 96, fixed to andprojecting upwardly from the top of the beam 55, and having at the topthereof a plate or part 97 having a curved slot 97 therein. A contactblock 97 is slidable along the part 97 and a bolt 97 holds it in thedesired position for cooperation with the actuating cam for any desiredinclination of the separating unit, while it is independent of changesand variations in the transverse positioning or inclination of theseparate units. Extending transversely tothe unit and above the frame 96is a. shaft 98, having fixed thereon a cam 99, the shaft 98 beand theing rotated in any suitable manner. The cam 99 is preferablyshaped togive a relatively slow depression and a relatively sharpand sudden'reaturn upward movement to the separating unit.

The operation of the foregoing mechanism will be clear without 'furt erextended description.

Asthe cam 99 rotates, it will depress the frame 97, which depresses thebeam 55 and therewith the air chamber and both the separating unitsplurality of the double units all operated from a single shaft 98. Inthis case, the cams 99 are releasable from their shaft, and as shown,they have hubs 100 provided with clamping screws 101, the shaft having aplurality of bearings 102, and at one end thereof a driving pulley 103.

In Fig. 7 a modification is shown wherein only a single separating unitis mounted upon the air chamber, the air chamber in this case beingcorrespondingly of narrower width. The various parts are shown in thisfigure with the same reference numerals applied thereto with an exponenta. i

In Fig. 8 is'shown a different form of mounting and a-differentvibratorymovement from the separating unit or units, the units themselves being,if desired of the same construction, and likewise'the supporting frame.The parts which are unchanged in this figure from the foregoing figureshave the same reference numerals applied thereto. 75 are pivoted at 110and 111, respectively, and are supported by, arms 112 and 113. at theirother ends 114 and 115 are pivoted to the inclinable but non-vibratableframe already described. v

In the embodied actuating means, a shaft 116 is journaled in'a pluralityof bearing brackets 105, carried upon the inclinable supporting frame,the shaft being driven by any suitable means, such as a belt pulley 117,fixed to the shaft, and

over which runs a belt 118. Fixed on shaft 116' is a earn 119 shaped, aswill be seen from Fig. 8, to give a relativelyv slow movement in onedirection and ,a sharp return movement in the opposite direction.Located at the opposite endof the frame members or beams 74 and 75 ofthe vibratable frame are helical compressed springs 120, in compressionbetween the ends of the beams and lugs 121 fixed on the inclinable andnon-vibratible frame. Two cooperating limiting stops are provided, onestop122 being fixed on the vibratable structure and the other stop 123being fixed upon the non-vibratable structure. These stops create asharp and 'sudden impact at the'end of the movement of the unit. Withthe shape of the cam as shown and with the inclination of the arms 112and 113 as shown. the separating unit has a relatively slow backward anddownward movement and a relatively quick and sharp upward and forwardmovement. This movement may be varied relatively in speed and directionas desired, and as found most efficient from experience, especially tomeet different kinds and physical states of the inter mixed dividedmaterials.

This vibration or movement of this peculiar nature, with a componentalong the direction of travel of thematerial being separated, andespecially the sharp upward and forward movement terminating in thesharp impact, will be found very efficacious with most materials and Thevibratable frame'members 74 and These arms under, most conditions;especially in increasing the output of aunit while maintaining thedesired completeness of separation of the materials.

Cooperating with the material stratifying and separating devices alreadydescribed are other devices for assisting in the stratification andseparatiombut more, especially operating to maintain the Stratificationand separation and to diroot the separated material to separate placesof discharge. j 7

These devices now referred to are capacitated for use independently ofmany of the mechanisms already described, and are adapted to enable ortoassist, the mechanism in separating successfully and efficiently theintermixed materials, especially when the fragments or particles varythrough a wide range of sizes, or where thorough and complete separationof three intermixed materials, such as coal, 'bone and rock must beeffected.

Pursuant to this feature of the invention, and as embodied, theseparating units have a plurality of side walls, or separatingpartitions, preferably on the outer side of the units only, when theunits are made laterally inclinable. The separating partitions are incontact with, and project upwardly from the air pervious bottom 1, andare disposed longitudinally thereof. If desired, these separatingpartitions may be inclined either inwardly or outwardly along and towardthe forward end of the bed or they may be disposed straight therealong.They may be arranged, also, in parallel or non-parallel relation withrespect to each other.

In, Figs. 1 and 2, three spaced-apart separating partitions 130, 13landl132 are shown, ex-

tending along the units, and converging inwardly toward the forward endof the unit and at the same time diverging somewhat from each other. Inthe preferred general arrangement, the port 30 from the hopperdischarges onto the air-pervious bottoml within the inner separatingpar-.

tition 130, all the intermixed materials thus being primarily subjectedto the stratifying and separating action and the impulsion forwardlyalong the unit within this partition 130. The most of the heaviermaterial is thus immediately separated and restrained, while all thelighter materialis immediately separatedand is free to move transverselyfrom the unit over the separating partitions. Any tendency to temporaryuniform effect of the air current on large fragments or particles of thelighter materials and small fragments or particles of the heaviermaterial is corrected by the action between the separating partitions.

These separating partitions are supported in position by suitable meanssuch as brackets 134, and'these brackets may be screw-heldand thus bemovable whereby their position and relative disposition to the unit, andto each other, may be varied and changed as found desirable with theparticular materials being separated. The rear brackets 134 are mountedon outwardly and forwardly inclined, vertically disposed walls 135mounted on a closed part of the top of the air chamber.

In-Fig. 4 is a somewhat diagrammaticplan, showing a plurality ofstraight separating -partitiens diverging forwardly and outwardly alongthe unit, In my co-pending application, Serl No. 574,033 filed July 10,1922, now Patent No. 1,787,- 340 separating partitions are shown, whichare of different shapes, are transversely variably posi-- tionable withrespect to each other and to the unit, and which are interchangeablewith side partitions of difierent forms or shapes, and these featuresmay also be utilized in the present case and with the features ofinvention herein set forth.

In Fig. 10 the separating partitions 130a and 1312 extend parallel tothe side wall 3 to a median point along theunit and thence inclineinwardly and forwardly toward the side wall 3, but stop short thereofand of the member 147. The outer side or separating partition 1322 isalso disposed parallel to the inner separating partitions. Thearrangement of separating and side partitions shown in Fig. 10 issubstantially the same 'as that shown in Fig. of my copendingapplication Ser. No. 574,033 now Patent No. 1,787,340.

In the operation of the mechanism, as the intermixed materials are feddownwardly and forwardly through the port 30, they are Stratified andseparated by the combined action of the vibration and theupwardly-directed air current, the heavier material sinking to thebottom and the lighter material rising to the top. Also, due to theseagencies or forces, and to the inclination of the unit, the materialsalso travel forwardly and transversely outwardly'with respect to theunit.v

' The separating partitions'130, 131 and 132 restrain'any transversemovement of the bottom or heavier layer, and forces it forwardly alongthe bottom or table 1, whereas the lighter superior stratum suspended bythe air currents, passes over the tops of the separating partitions 130,131 and 132, and is discharged sidewise from-"the unit.

Where the particles of material vary greatly in size, the plurality ofseparating partitions act to create a reseparation at each successivepartition, so that the ultimate separation is practically complete. 7

The larger particles of the heavier material will immediately sink tothe bottom of the stratum and will travel forwardly along the unit, uponthe bottom 1, within the inner separating partition or wall. If smallerparticles of the heavier material are impelled temporarily upwardly soas to pass over the first separating partition or wall 130, they willthen sink to the bottom of the stratum within the next separatingpartition or wall 131, by reason of the relatively weaker air current,and will be impelled and restrained thereby to pass along the bottom 1to the front end of the unit and will there be discharged with theremainder of the heavier material. The relatively weaker air currentreferred to may be provided by air current controlling or grading meanssuch as the variations in deck perviosity disclosed in my applicationSerial No. 574,033 filed 'as of even date herewith (Patent No.1,787,340). On the other hand, the upwardly directed air current and thetransverse inclination and the vibration'of the unit will impel thelighter material over the top of the separating partition.

The same conditions will obtain with respect to the next separatingpartition or wall, except that there is likely to be noneor very littleof the heavier material passing into the space inside this partition, asany proportion of small particles of the heavier material grows less andless between each pair of separating partitions or walls outwardly. v

This construction is especially useful in the separation of intermingleddivided coal, rock and bone or .bony (a well-known substance whichiscombustible but has a high ash content and low heat efiiciency). Thespecific gravity of the so-called bone is greater than that of the coal,but less than that of the rock, and it will be'discharged at a placebetween the discharge places or points of the coal and rock.

If desired, guiding plates or a deflector device may be provided toassist in the discharge of the superior lighter layer, and as embodied,each unit is provided with a plate 136, arranged diagonally andtransversely thereof, that is, inclined'from the.

inner wall forwardly and outwardly to the outer wall of the unit. Thisplate 136 is likewise shown adjustable both along the unit and as to itshorizontal inclination with respect to theunit. For this purpose, theplate 136 is shown havinggat its inner end and bottom edge ahorizontally-disposed' forwardly-projecting flange 137, having a boltand slot connection 138 with a plate 139 mounted on and projecting fromthe side of the unit. It has a similar plate 140 having a bolt and slotconnection 141 with the side plate 61.

Means are provided for creating an upward and backward air pressure atthe forward or discharge end of the units, to effect the final separation of any remnant of the intermixed materials, such as the rock andbony, which have not been separated by the previous devices and action.As embodied, a plate 146 is disposed over the bottom 1 and extendsacrossbetween the side walls of the unit, and at its rear end thereis fixed orconnected thereto an upwardly extending plate 147, likewise extendingacross the unit. At either side of plates 146 and 147, and connectingthem together, are brackets 148, having a bolt and slot connection 149with upwardly-extending standards fixed on the plate 61. This gives avertical regulation of the size of the passage beneath the plate 46.

In conjunction therewith, there may be employed', if desired an inclinedgate 151, which closes the forward or discharge end-of the bed ofheavier material, but which is openable by the pressure exerted thereonfrom within theunit. The inclined gate will remain closed and willfunction as described in any inclined position of the unit. This gate151 is pivotally supported by hinges 152 from a horizontally disposedrod' 153,

carried by the uprights 150. The gate may be weighted, if desiredand forthis purpose is provided with a pin 154, fixed thereto and projectingfrom the outward side thereof, whereon weights may be hung. a

In the separating action, the coal or other lighter material isStratified at the top and is discharged sidewise over the side walls,chutes being attached to the units at either side thereof,

- rect each into its proper chuteJ Similar baffles 163 may be employedat the forward end of the unit to direct the bone into the chute. Theunits are provided at their forward ends with chutes 164 through whichthe rock is conveyed away. The invention in its broader aspects is notlimited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departuresmay be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims 15without vdepartingf rom the principles of the in vention and vantages."I

What I claim is:-

, 1; A mechanism for separating intermixed Eli .videdmaterials,comprising a feed hopper having air .pervious sides, and meansforblowing air upwardly through the hopper and outwardly throughsaid airpervious sides for blowing away dust from theintermixed materials. v

2. A mechanism for separating intermixedidi vided materials, comprisinga feed hopper having air pervious sides, means for blowing air upwardlythrough the hopper and-outwardly throughsai'd air pervious sides forblowing away dust from the intermixed materials, and means for "regulating' theamount of air thus supplied to the hopper. 1 1

3. A mechanism for separating. intermixedrdie vided material includingin combination afvi-f bratable frame, a pair of air-perviousfseparatingdecks carried thereby,saiddeckshavingtrahs without sacrificingits'chieffaq verse inclination in'opposit'e sense with respect to alongitudinal center line, and said transverse inclinations being uniformthroughoutflth'eleng'th of said decks along lines parallel to. saidcenterline, means for varying the transverse inclinationsof the deckswith respect to said center line, a common air chamber for supplyingairunder pres-'- sureto both of said de,cks,- means forvibrating theframe, and means for separatelydischarging superposed lighter andsettled heavier materials 4. A mechanism for separating, intermixeddivided material including in combination a vibratable frame, a pair -ofair-pervious separating decks carried thereby, said deckshaving'transverse inclinations in Opposite sense with respect to alongitudinal center line, and said transverse inclinations being uniformthroughout 'thelength of said decks along lines parallelto said centerline, means for independently varying the trans-- verse slope of eitherdeck, a commonair chamber for supplying air under pressure to both ofsaid decks, means for vibrating the frame, and means for separatelydischarging superposed lighter and settled heavier materials; I I 5. Amechanism for separating intermixed divided materials including incombination atransversely-inclined, air-pervious deck, -means forfeeding said materials to the rear end of .the deck, means forlongitudii'ia'lly reciprocating the deck, a substantially straightmaterial-retaining wall disposed longitudinally of the deck alongtheupper side edge thereof, a plurality of side by side separatingpartitions disposed transversely tothe longitudinal axis of the deck,,a'-material-retaining wall extending from the rear end-of the tableforwardly along the lower -side thereof for a shorter distance thansaidfi-rst mentioned retaining wall, the separating partitions beginningad'- jacent said lower retaining wall and extending forwardly andupwardly toward the upper retaining wall but having their forward endsterminating short thereof, and a spillage edge for lightermafor passinglifting and loosening air currents throughfsubstantially all parts ofsaid deck, ,a plurality'of substantially parallel separating par,-titions extending across the deck from the lower toward the upper sidethereof, a substantially straight material-retaining wall extendinglongitudinally along the upper side edge of, the deck beyond theeparating partitions,..and a spillage edgejf or lighter materialextending transversely of the deck in the same direction as the,separate partitions froma median point on the lower wardly and sl d "ofthe deck to the front end thereof.

mechanism for purifying coal having wide size; variations, including incombination a transversely-inclined air-pervious deck, means forfeedingsa'id coal to the rear, end of the deck, means for longitudinallyreciprocating. the deck, means for passing lifting and loosening aircurrents through substantially all parts of said deck, a plurality ofsubstantially parallel separating partitions' extending across the, deckfrom the lower towardthe" upper side thereof; a substantially straightmaterial retaining wall extending longitudinally along theupper sideedge of thedeck beyond the separating partitions, a spillage edge forlighter material extending forwardly and transyersely of the deck, froma median point on the lower side ofthedeck, and means for varyingthetransverse slope of, the deck.

"8; Arn'echanism for separating intermixed divided materialsof differentspecific gravities, in-

cludingincombination a table having an'airpervious transversely inclinedbottom, abed-retaining wall along the upper side edge of said bottom, aforwardly and inwardly inclined spillage edge" for the lighter materialopposite saidbed retaining wall, said-table being longitudinallyreciprocable in adirection substantially parallel to said retainingwalland separating devices on said bottom for directing settled heaviermaterial forupwardly toward; the bed-retaining wall. 9'. A mechanism forseparating intermixed dividedmaterials of difierent specific gravitiesincluding. in. combination a table havinga transyerselyinclined. airpervious bottom, a bed-rep said bottom inclinedforwardly and towardsaidhed-retaining WalI, and means for reciprocating bottom substantiallyinline with the. bed-re: tain1ng .wall;,and across thedirection of ,theS3133.-

etine ertiti ns-x 10. A mechanism forseparating intermixeddividedmaterials of different specific. gravities, in-.

cludingfin combination a table having an air-per,- yious bottom, meansfor longitudinally.recipro-, q 1 1% eb a. ai edwret imnawall alon oneside of said bottom for substantially its entire length, a forwardly andinwardly inclined spillage edge e tending forwardlyfrom a point near therear end of the table and terminating; near the front end of the table,separating partitionson ai me s.- Q FQIQ n n.ed orwar.dl.v. and

toward said bed-retaining wall, there being, an

mobsmietsi ss e. war l ne n a iacent-to i edrr eininawe l. mit e pa s ef ase tled hea ier a elesq inten ifier ar i the ransr,

. verse inclination of the table.

11. A;mechanism for separating intermixed die .meisriels i f e nt pec fravities t in omb nati n a i b ehavi s ne rr e vious bbtmmghie ns for.longitudinally, recipro-, eating, thetable, a bed-retaining wall ,alongone ing'wall, a forwardly and inwardly inclined spillage edge extendingforwardly from a point near the rear end of the table and terminatingbeyond the front ends of the separating partitions, there being anunobstructed passageway along and adjacent to said bed-retaining wallfor the passage of a settled heavier material.

12."A process of separating intermixed divided materials which comprisesmaintaining a forwardly traveling and forwardly narrowing bed of thematerials to be separated, the bed being pre determinately inclinedtransversely accordingto the characteristics of the material, forcinglifting and loosening air currents through the bed, longitudinallyreciprocating the bed, directing a settled heavy material toward theupper sideof the bed. and forwardly along that side in an unbroken,concentrating stream, and discharging a superior stratum oflightermaterial from the opposite side of the gradually narrowing bed.

13. A mechanism for separating intermixed divided materials of differentspecific gravities including in combination a; table having atransyersely inclined air-perviousbottom, a bed-retaining wallalong theupper side edge thereof, the air-pervious bottom narrowing forwardly andhaving a spillage edge for lighter material opposite saidbed-retainingwall, separating, partitions on said bottom inclinedforwardly and transversely toward said bed-retaining wall, anunobstrluctedpassage way for settled heavier material along thebed-retaining wall and above the separating partitions, means forlongitudinally reciprocating the table, and. means at; the rear of thetable for feeding the intermixed materials only to saidunobstructedpassage. way.

l i. A mechanism for separating intermixed, divided, materials varyingrelatively very greatly in size and varying relatively little in theirspecific gravities, which comprises an air pervious table inclinedupwardly both forwardly and transversely'," means for supplying andmaintaining upon the table abed of materials undergoing separation,meansfor longitudinally reciprocating the table an'dmeansforv effectingseparation of the materials comprising devices for impelling the settledheavier'material transversely of the table.

15. A mechanism for separating intermixed, divided materials varyingrelatively very greatly in size and varying relatively little in theirspecific gravities, which comprises, anair pervious table inclinedupwardly both forwardly and transverse-. 1y, means for supplying andmaintaining upon the table a. bed of. materials undergoing separation,means: for longitudinally reciprocating the table and means foreffecting separation of the materials comprising devicesfor impellingthe settled. heavier material transversely and from the lower to theupperside. l

i 16. A mechanism; for separating intermixed, divided. materials varyingrelatively very greatly. in size and .varying relativelylittle in. theirspecific gravities, which comprises an air pervious table inclinedupwardly both forwardly andtran'sverse- 1y, means for. longitudinally,reciprocating the table means forsupplying, andmaintaining uppn thetable a bed of materials undergoing separa-,- tion, means for effectingseparation of the. materials l. oompl sing separating. partitionsinclined forwardly, andfrom .the lower, side toward the, upperjside ofthe table, andmeans for-varying both the lateral and the longitudinalinclinations of the table.

17. A mechanism for separating intermixed, divided materials varyingrelatively very greatly in size and varying relatively little in theirspecific gravities, which comprises an air pervious table inclined bothlengthwise and transversely and narrowing forwardly from the feed towardthe discharge end, means for supplying and maintaining upon the table abed of materials undergoing separation, means for effecting separationof the materials comprising devices for. impelling the settled heaviermaterial transversely of the table, and a longitudinally disposedchannelway to conduct the settled heavier material forwardly along theside edge of the table by friction andinertia, said channelway beingunobstructed, whereby the heavier material may flow unrestrainedlytherealong.

18. A mechanism for separating intermixed, di-

- vided materials varying relatively very greatly in size and varyingrelatively little in their specific gravities, which comprises an airpervious table inclined both lengthwise and transversely, means forsupplying and maintaining upon the table a bed of materials undergoingseparation, means for effecting separation of the materials comprisingdevices for impelling the settled heavier material transversely and fromthe lower to the upper side, and a longitudinally disposed channelway toconduct the settled heavier material forwardly along the upper side edgeof the table by friction and inertia, said channelway beingunobstructed, whereby the heavier material may flow unrestrainedlytherealong.

19. The process of purifying coal which comprises maintaining arelatively long, narrow and transversely inclined bed of coal,progressing the bed forwardly by longitudinal reciprocation whileforwardly narrowing said bed, passing lifting and loosening air currentsthrough substantially all parts of the bed, directing a settled heaviermaterial transversely toward the upper side of the bed and forwardlytherealong in a concentrating stream discharging said concentratedstream, and progressing the superior stratum of lighter materialdownwardly and away from said stream and gradually discharging saidlighter material along the lower side of the gradually narrowing bed. p

20. A mechanism for separating intermixed divided materials of differentspecific gravities including in combination a transversely andlongitudinally inclined bottom which is air-pervious in substantiallyall its parts, means for feeding the intermixed materials to the rearend of said bottom, a pluralityof separating partitions disposedforwardly and toward the upper side of the bottom, means for preventingspillage of heavy material over the upper side edge of the bottomcomprising a retaining wall extending along said edge, an unobstructedpassageway for heavier material extending along said retaining wall andbeyond the separating partitions, the

,said 'wall and passageway, a-spillage edge for lighter materialextending forwardly and toward the retaining wall along the lower sideedge of the bottom, and means for varying thetransverse inclination ofthe bottom.

21. A mechanism for separating intermixed divided materials including incombination a pair of air-pervious separating decks, means forhorizontally. vibrating the decks, the decks extending side-by-side inthe direction of said horizontal vibration, a common source of air underpressure for the two decks and means for passing air currents from saidsource upwardly through the decks, and means for variably inclining thedecks in opposite senses transversely to the direction of saidvibration.

22. A mechanism for separating intermixed divided materials including incombination a pair of similar, relatively long and narrow air-perviousdecks, means for longitudinally vibrating the decks together, said decksextending side-by-side in the direction of horizontal. vibration andinclined in opposite senses transversely to said vibration, means forpassing lifting and loosening air currents through the decks, and meansfor independently varying the transverse inclination of either deck.

23. A mechanism for separating intermixeddi vided materials whichcomprises an air-pervious table inclined both lengthwise andtransversely, means for feeding intermixed materials to a bed thereofundergoing separation upon the table, means for effecting separation ofthe materials comprising devices for impelling the settled heaviermaterials transversely of the table, a longitudinally disposedchannelway for conducting the settled heavier material forwardlyalongthe' side edge of the table by friction and inertia, saidchannelway being unobstructed, whereby the heavier material may flowunrestrainedly therealong, and a spillage edge for lighter materialopposite the unobstructed channelway and extending forwardly and at anangle to said channelway.

24. A mechanism for separating intermixed divided materials whichcomprises a forwardlynarrowing, air-pervious table inclined upwardlyboth forwardly and transversely, means for feeding intermixed materialsto a bed thereof undergoing separation upon the table, means foreffecting separation of the materials comprising separating partitionsinclined forwardly and toward the upper side edge of the table forimpelling settled heavier material transversely and from the lowertoward the upper side, a longitudinally disposed channelway forconducting the settled heavier material forwardly-along the upper sideedge of the table by friction and inertia, said channelway beingunobstructed, whereby the heavier material may flow unrestrainedlytherealong, and a spillage edge for lighter material along the lowerside edge of the table.

KENNETH DAVIS.

